Can children with astigmatism watch TV?
Jun 29, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen You
Introduction
Children with astigmatism can watch television. First, watching TV is a form of visual stimulation; the varied visual stimuli—such as images and colors—may promote the progression of myopia. In fact, such stimulation may be beneficial for hyperopia. Regarding astigmatism, however, there is no direct link between watching television and the condition itself. It is recommended that children may watch TV in moderation, but viewing time should not be excessively long.
Astigmatism can generally be improved with corrective eyewear. In particular, children with oblique-axis or high-degree astigmatism should be fitted with highly oxygen-permeable rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses, which offer superior correction. Lens selection should be based on the degree of astigmatism. So, can children with astigmatism watch television?
Can children with astigmatism watch television?
Yes, children with astigmatism may watch television. Watching TV provides visual stimulation—images and colors—that can promote the progression of myopia. In fact, such visual stimulation is beneficial for hyperopia. Regarding astigmatism, however, there is no direct causal relationship between watching television and the condition itself. It is acceptable for children to watch some television, but viewing duration should be limited—ideally 30 minutes to one hour per session. Children should also be reminded to regularly perform eye exercises and gaze into the distance to relax their eyes.
Children with astigmatism require active management. Corrective lenses are essential for optical correction. Additionally, amblyopia—often associated with astigmatism—must be treated. The most common treatment is occlusion therapy (patching), which involves covering the stronger (dominant) eye to force the weaker (amblyopic) eye to work harder and improve vision. Therefore, if a child has both astigmatism and amblyopia, occlusion therapy can be applied while watching television—covering the stronger eye and encouraging use of the amblyopic eye—to simultaneously correct refractive error and treat amblyopia.
It is recommended that children develop healthy visual habits in daily life, avoiding prolonged near work or reading in dim lighting. We hope this information is helpful to you.
